Effect of glycidyl methacrylate compatibiliser and montmorillonite reinforcement on the properties and morphology of PBAT/PLA blends

Abstract

A polymer blend based on polybutylene adipate terephthalate and polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) with enhanced mechanical properties was successfully fabricated by melt mixing in a twin-screw extruder using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as a compatibiliser and montmorillonite clay (MMT) as a reinforcement. The properties of the blend were characterised by a series of methods including ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical testing. The results showed that the PBAT/ PLA blend with a weight ratio of 40/60 exhibited optimal mechanical properties. In addition, the GMA-based compatibiliser increased the compatibility of the PBAT/PLA blend through reactions between epoxy groups and the terminal COOH and OH groups of the polymer chains. The study also confirmed that the combined use of a GMA-based compatibiliser and clay improved the mechanical strength, thermal stability and structural stability of the materials. The PBAT/PLA/compatibiliser/clay blend with a mass ratio of 40/60/10/20 exhibited a tensile strength of 30.06 MPa, an elongation at break of 70.38%, and a tensile modulus of 1568 MPa. These results indicate significant potential for the production of environmentally friendly packaging and disposable food containers.